Renowned gemmologist explains why azure-coloured stones are perfect for Mother’s Day

THEY ARE known as mermaids treasure, renowned for their azure colour and are one of the most popular and coveted gemstones – aquamarine.

These precious gemstones are also the birthstone for March, making them the ideal gift for Mother’s Day on the 21st.

Renowned for their clarity and brilliance, aquamarines take their names from the Latin terms “aqua” meaning water and “mare” for the sea. The soft blue colours range from the palest sky-blue to deep, rich blues and are said to evoke feelings of sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship.

Alistir Wood Tait, the leading Edinburgh-based antique and fine jewellery retailer, has an array of the dazzling blue coloured stones ranging from stunning modern design pieces to elegant antique styles, with prices to suit most pockets.

His collection starts with elegant simple 18-carat gold stud earrings, each set with aquamarine and costing just £200. At his shop in Rose Street, Edinburgh, he also offers contemporary 18-carat white gold earrings set with briolette cut aquamarines and diamonds, with a £750 price tag.

PR in Edinburgh for leading jeweller and gemmologist

For a price of £1350 customers can also secure an exquisite pear-shaped aquamarine and diamond cluster ring, while Alistir’s collection also boasts a £2500 Victorian necklet encrusted with aquamarines and pearls.

At the top end of the price range he has a 1940’s inspired aquamarine ring costing a cool £4,125. The huge stone is emerald cut and a perfect example of the vivid blue which makes the maximum visual impact and has made aquamarines so coveted.

Alistir said: “Aquamarine is a stunning gemstone which simply dazzles as there are very few inclusions, resulting in immaculate transparency and high brilliance of this gemstone.

“Some aquamarines have a greenish hue, therefore making the colour appear more green than blue. This is why some are heat treated – as really pure and clear blue is cherished as the typical aquamarine colour.

Ancient traditions claim that the wearer of aquamarine will be blessed with love and affection, while legend has it that carrying the stone protects sailors while at sea, while also making the wearer content and prosperous.

Intensity of colour which says ‘I Love You’

Alistir added: “Iron is the mineral which gives aquamarine their blue colour. The more intense the colour, the higher the value. Although aquamarines can be found all over the world, such as India, Mozambique, Pakistan – Brazil is the main country where the best quality gems are found.”

The different shades of aquamarine are recognisable by their own distinctive names. “Santa Maria” is the name for the rare, deep blue stones found in the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil whereas similar colours can also be found in mines in Mozambique known as “Santa Maria Africana”. Not as intensely coloured are – Brazilian “Espirito Santo” aquamarines and “Martha Rocha” aquamarines.

As aquamarine is a fascinating and beautiful stone, designers and crafters have named it their favourite stone to obtain inspiration from. The stone should be as transparent as possible to allow shards of light to filter through and highlight any inclusions.

Alistir said: “Aquamarine’s light colour enables designers to have a special creative freedom by integrating intrinsic cuts, rounded shapes as well as edges – something which you can’t do with other stones.”

Whether it is to simply say I love you or thank you, any mother would be delighted to receive a beautiful aquamarine.

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